If you liked Transatlanticism and Plans then you definitely won't be disappointed with Death Cab's new album. The best tracks by far are: Cath, I Will Possess Your Heart, No Sunlight and Your New Twin Sized Bed. I am really pleased with this album and I would recommend it to any fan or those who have similar tastes in indie music.

A little underwhelming after about 8 listens. A big fuss was made over 'I Will Posess Your Heart' but to be honest the track takes so long to kick in that I had lost interest by the time the vocals started. Lyrically this is a good album but it didn't really hit my spot. Decent effort though, hopefully it's a grower!

Like, it would seem, most DCFC fans, I was underwhelmed by "Narrow Stairs" at first. But, experience tells me that the albums that you take a while to get into often turn out to be the ones you love above all others. I loved 'Plans' and I expected the new album to be more of the same - that it isn't reflects much credit on DCFC - they are expanding their horizons and so should you.

Firstly, Death Cab for Cutie are my favourite band. Each word is picked with loving care and Ben Gibbard weaves a rich tapestry of the tales which he tells with his pitch perfect voice. This album was always destined to be different. Fans should approach this album with that attitude. 2005's 'Plans' brought more melodic and down-beat piano-based songs. 'Narrow Stairs' is just a further demonstration of the heights Death Cab can reach. This album is much more guitar based, using the guitar in anyway they can. Whether its upbeat and has the feel of a power ballad (Cath...) or downbeat and acoustic (The Ice Is Getting Thinner), Gibbards lyrical abilities never faulter.

There is no bad song on this album, yes it may take some getting used to for older fans, but the adjustment is quickly made and the album is soon loved. New fans will be made from this record, but this album still contains what Death Cab are all about. Deep lyrics. For me, part of the fun of a Death Cab album is figuring out Gibbards lyrics. These lyrics are just as articulate as 'Plans' namely 'Brothers On A Hotel Bed' or 'What Sarah Said'. The music matches these songs perfectly, such as the juxtaposition of 'No Sunlight' with its dark lyrics and upbeat tempo.

Once again, Gibbard produces the goods, Death Cab for Cutie will never fail to impress.

I'm a bit underwhelmed, if you liked The Photo Album, you should be happy, i however was hoping for something more. Don't get me wrong there some outstanding tracks, Bixby Canyon Bridge, Long Divison, Pity & Fear and the awesome I Will Possess Your Heart of course. The rest left me cold, hopefully they'll grow on me but as it is, this album is slightly dissapointing.

They have grown on me ! Great album.

For those Death Cab fans who adore 'Transatlanticism' and 'Plans' but were never into the 'early stuff', you may be disappointed at first with this album. There is certainly nowhere near as much of the cab's trademark epic, melancholy odyssey sections as there is the dark and driven hypnosis of their earlier material (with some exception, most notably the single).

Flavours of 'We have the facts and we're voting yes' have made a dramatic return in the form of bass and drum driven rock songs, a pleasing contrast to the piano based ballads of 'plans'.

Lyrics are just as wonderfully crafted as ever and this time have taken a simpler form. Some of the metaphor has been substituted with pure heart which, while at first may seem less impressive, is actually one of the reasons why this album is so clever. 'Grapevine Fires' is an extremely touching tribute of the California Fires of 2007. Arnie should be proud! Also featuring a clever reference to a classic Death Cab moment with the line 'We bought some wine and a paper cup'.

There is nothing contrived or trite about this album in the slightest. There seem to be literally no efforts to 'please' and simply a desire to create. Death Cab for Cutie continue to affect me in a way that no other music ever has. I make no exaggeration in stating that this band have probably saved my life.

Thank you.

Opener 'Bixby Canyon Bridge' starts off quiet and gentle in a classic Death Cab motion, and gradually builds up to a massive, distorted guitar filled crescendo. As soon as the first blasts of guitar come through at 1.40 you know this is a very different band from the one that released the sugar-pop 'Plans'. - 8/10

Next up is the lead single from the album, 'I Will Possess Your Heart'. You have to be a pretty ballsy band to release a first single from an album that is 8 minutes and 35 seconds in length, and downright crazy for the first 4 and a half minutes of the track to be purely instrumental, but hell, it works a charm. This track is outstanding. Sure, it's defiantly a grower - I wasn't fond at all upon first listen as I was expecting a Soul Meets Body Pt. 2 - but after a few listens, you will love it. The bass line and tinkling piano are especially fantastic. - 9/10

'No Sunlight' is probably the most upbeat of all the songs on the album, despite it appearing to be about the death of somebody close. Fans of 'Soul Meets Body' will probably eat this right up, and fans of older Death Cab should love it too. It won't leave your head for hours afterwards - 7/10

'Cath...' is one of my favourite tracks on the album and in my opinion, a good contender for second single. It's a straight up rock song, telling the story of a woman marrying a man she doesn't love out of fear she will find nobody else. The lyrics paint a great picture, and the chorus is just magical. You'd be hard pressed not to love this - 10/10

At first I wasn't particularly fond of 'Talking Bird' - it seemed far too slow and dragging for my liking, but I have defiantly grown to love it. The lyrics are odd - the title 'Talking Bird' has no sarcasm or clever wit: it's actually about a talking bird - but the song is quite brilliant, and will defiantly please fans of early Death Cab albums - 7/10

Another favourite of mine, 'You Can Do Better Than Me' is pure genius. It comes in swinging, telling of people staying together 'out of fear of dying alone'. It fits so much into it's 1 minute and 59 seconds length, and is a definite highlight - 10/10

'Grapevine Fires' tells the story of the wildfires that occurred in California in 2007. It is probably the most beautiful song Death Cab have ever written. Gentle, tender, and pure brilliant - you can't help but feel touched as Ben Gibbard swoons 'everything will be alright' and a choir lifts the final word up in an angelic tone. Sure to be a fan favourite - 10/10

Next comes 'You're New Twin Sized Bed', which is again, a favourite (bet you're getting tired of me saying that). It's bluesy and catchy and I just can't remove it from my head - 10/10

'Long Division' is one of the faster songs on the album that sounds most like an all round 'rock song' (but of course, done with Death Cab charm). Catchy chorus, chugging guitars - it's just a really good song. I especially like Gibbards 'oh oh oh' parts - 7/10

'Pity And Fear' is my least favourite song from the album. It takes off slowly and never particularly goes anywhere. Not to say it's a bad song - it's still great. Just not as great as the rest. The sudden ending blast scares me with every listen though - 6/10

Finally comes 'The Ice Is Getting Thinner', and it is undoubtedly the perfect album closer. A bittersweet love song, it will have you thinking of ex-lovers and feeling really down - and that is what it hopes to achieve. To anybody who has ever been in love and fallen apart, this will speak to you. Gentle, tender, delicate and beautiful. Perfect - 10/10

Never before have Death Cab For Cutie gotten so many different styles, moods and brilliant songs into one album. Buy this. You'd be a fool not to.

this is just my view but i feel tht this is the best death cab album to date " i will possess your heart" is 8:35 long but it feels like its over in seconds its that good. so if you buy only one album this month buy narrow stairs you wont regret it!!!!!